The French Historie That is; A lamentable Discourse of three of the chiefe, and most famous bloodie broiles that haue happened in France for the Gospell of Iesus Christ. Namelie; 1 The outrage called The winning of S. Iames his Streete, 1557. 2 The constant Martirdome of Annas Burgeus one of the K. Councell, 1559. 3 The bloodie Marriage of Margaret Sister to Charles the 9. Anno 1572. Published by A. D. [i.e. Anne Dowrich] |
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 | The French Historie |  |
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A cruell, cowardlie, and traitrous murder, committed in Angiers in France, vpon one Masson de Riuers a famous and godlie preacher, by a wicked enemie called Monsorrell, who was sent by the King to Angiers in post, to commit the like murder there, as was in Paris.
Now
Lions fare thou well, to Angiers will I goe,
Wherein also the godlie flocke, lackt not a deadlie foe.
For there was dwelling then a famous learned man;
Vvho for his paines and godlie life a worthie credite wan.
He was the first that dar'de the Gospell for to preach
In Paris towne: where first the same to manie he did teach.
Masson De Riuers was this godlie preachers name,
Vvho had the Sorbons manie times by learning put to shame.
Now when in Paris towne the murder was at most,
The bloodie Curre Monsorrell was to Angiers sent in post.
Vvho was no sooner come within that wofull towne,
And that from off his barbed horse he was descended downe.
But that he did inquire where Masson then did dwell,
For that he had vnto the man some secrete thing to tell.
And comming to the house, before the entrie dore
He met with Massons wife; to whom he vsed then great store
Of filed words, as though he meant nothing amisse,
And like a Courtier courteouslie salutes her with a kisle:
And where is now (I praie) your husband to be had?
To see the good man ere I went, I would be verie glad:
For that with him I haue a word or two talke.
In yonder garden sir (quoth she) my husband now doth walk.
And so she did direct the traitor to the place;
Where comming, he most courteouslie good Masson did imbrace.
“And canst thou tell (quoth he) whie I am hether come?
“It is to doo the Princes will, whereof this is the summe.
“The King commanded hath that now without delaie,
“Within this place I should not misse thy life to take awaie.
“And that thou maist be sure the King hath thus decreed;
“Lo here are letters from his grace, which letters thou shalt read.
With that he plucked forth a Pistoll readie bent
Full charged, and to Massons heart now readie to be sent.
Wherein also the godlie flocke, lackt not a deadlie foe.
For there was dwelling then a famous learned man;
Vvho for his paines and godlie life a worthie credite wan.
He was the first that dar'de the Gospell for to preach
In Paris towne: where first the same to manie he did teach.
Masson De Riuers was this godlie preachers name,
Vvho had the Sorbons manie times by learning put to shame.
Now when in Paris towne the murder was at most,
The bloodie Curre Monsorrell was to Angiers sent in post.
Vvho was no sooner come within that wofull towne,
And that from off his barbed horse he was descended downe.
But that he did inquire where Masson then did dwell,
For that he had vnto the man some secrete thing to tell.
And comming to the house, before the entrie dore
He met with Massons wife; to whom he vsed then great store
Of filed words, as though he meant nothing amisse,
And like a Courtier courteouslie salutes her with a kisle:
And where is now (I praie) your husband to be had?
To see the good man ere I went, I would be verie glad:
For that with him I haue a word or two talke.
In yonder garden sir (quoth she) my husband now doth walk.
Where comming, he most courteouslie good Masson did imbrace.
“And canst thou tell (quoth he) whie I am hether come?
“It is to doo the Princes will, whereof this is the summe.
“The King commanded hath that now without delaie,
“Within this place I should not misse thy life to take awaie.
“And that thou maist be sure the King hath thus decreed;
“Lo here are letters from his grace, which letters thou shalt read.
With that he plucked forth a Pistoll readie bent
Full charged, and to Massons heart now readie to be sent.
“My friend (said Masson) staie, on me some pitie take:
“And to my God, ere that I die, let me my praiers make.
“I meruaile whie the King this murder should intend;
“I know not anie thing wherein his lawes I did offend.
“It doth become a King a Princelie heart to haue:
“And not vniustlie for to kill the people he should saue.
“And what are you that can the vncondemned kill?
“And what are you that seeke my life, which neuer ment you il?
“And why should you desire to suck my guiltlesse blood,
“Which in the Lord vnto my power haue soght to do ye good?
“But staie; I know the cause: you hate the shining light
“Of Gods eternal Truth, which now you thinke doth shine too bright.
“But frend take heed how that thou welter in the dark
“Take heed of Gods eternall, plague & Cayns accursed marke.
“The men that meate refuse with famine shalbe pinde,
“To satisfie their hungrie soules, they shall no comfort finde.
“And they that knowen Truth doo wilfullie reiect,
“Shalbe deceiude by lying sprites their follies to correct.
“I weigh not for to die, sith death the Lord hath sent;
“But more to view thy wretched state it maketh me lament;
“For after death with me I know it shall be well;
“But for this murder thou maist feare least thou be sent to hell.
“There is a fearfull lawe, let it be rightlie scand;
The Lord himself hath trulie said that blood pollutes the land.”
The Land from bloodie guilt shall not be cleansde or quit,”
But by his blood which wrongfullie the murder did commit.”
Take heed therefore (good frend) and yet beware in time,”
Pollute not this so famous place with this so bloodie crime.”
But yet if thou obey a Princes wicked word,”
Know in the end that thou likewise shalt perish by the sword.”
Now if my hoarie haires no mercie can procure;”
Yet let the safetie of thy soule to pitie thee allure.”
And if the wailing teares of this my wofull wife,”
Can not by anie meanes preuaile with thee to saue my life;”
Yet see these sillie babes, and weigh their wofull mone,”
Which fatherlesse before their time should now be left alone.”
If nothing yet but blood can quench thy hot desire,”
Then in the ende be sure to tast the Lords reuenging ire.”
Haue mercie Lord on me, whom Sathan would destroie;”
Thy godlie flocke he seekes to quell, thy Truth for to annoie.”
Let them not longer Lord exalt their pridie crowne:”
Let thē not scape that dailie seek to throw thy kingdom down.”
Thy promise is my hope, thy word is all my staie:”
My comfort is the liuing Lord, which shields me from decaie.”
While Christ is on my side by faith that makes me free,”
By death or life I little feare what man can doo to me.”
To thee my liuing God for mercie now I call,”
So in this place my promisd vowes shalbe performed all.”
O Lord receaue my soule, the force of death destroie,”
That presentlie before thy face I may appeare with ioy.”
O Christ thy pitie send, with mercie come to me;”
For from my youth & tender yeres my hope hath bin in thee.”
My heart is fixed Lord, my heart is surelie set;”
To saue my soule (my God) let not my sinnes be anie let.”
Now to thy blessed hands whether I die or liue:”
My sinfull soule, receiue it Lord, I gladlie here doo giue.”
“And thou that hether camest to plaie this bloodie part;
“Loe this thy wicked deed I doo forgiue with all my hart:
“Desiring God that this my blood now set at large,
“Vvhen he doth come maie not at all be laid vnto thy charge.
“Come staie no longer now if God shall giue thee power
“To take my life, thē welcom thrice this sweet & happy hower;
“And to my God, ere that I die, let me my praiers make.
“I meruaile whie the King this murder should intend;
“I know not anie thing wherein his lawes I did offend.
“It doth become a King a Princelie heart to haue:
“And not vniustlie for to kill the people he should saue.
“And what are you that can the vncondemned kill?
“And what are you that seeke my life, which neuer ment you il?
“And why should you desire to suck my guiltlesse blood,
“Which in the Lord vnto my power haue soght to do ye good?
“But staie; I know the cause: you hate the shining light
“Of Gods eternal Truth, which now you thinke doth shine too bright.
“But frend take heed how that thou welter in the dark
“Take heed of Gods eternall, plague & Cayns accursed marke.
“The men that meate refuse with famine shalbe pinde,
“To satisfie their hungrie soules, they shall no comfort finde.
“And they that knowen Truth doo wilfullie reiect,
“Shalbe deceiude by lying sprites their follies to correct.
“I weigh not for to die, sith death the Lord hath sent;
“But more to view thy wretched state it maketh me lament;
“For after death with me I know it shall be well;
“But for this murder thou maist feare least thou be sent to hell.
“There is a fearfull lawe, let it be rightlie scand;
35
The Land from bloodie guilt shall not be cleansde or quit,”
But by his blood which wrongfullie the murder did commit.”
Take heed therefore (good frend) and yet beware in time,”
Pollute not this so famous place with this so bloodie crime.”
But yet if thou obey a Princes wicked word,”
Know in the end that thou likewise shalt perish by the sword.”
Now if my hoarie haires no mercie can procure;”
Yet let the safetie of thy soule to pitie thee allure.”
And if the wailing teares of this my wofull wife,”
Can not by anie meanes preuaile with thee to saue my life;”
Yet see these sillie babes, and weigh their wofull mone,”
Which fatherlesse before their time should now be left alone.”
If nothing yet but blood can quench thy hot desire,”
Then in the ende be sure to tast the Lords reuenging ire.”
Haue mercie Lord on me, whom Sathan would destroie;”
Thy godlie flocke he seekes to quell, thy Truth for to annoie.”
Let them not longer Lord exalt their pridie crowne:”
Let thē not scape that dailie seek to throw thy kingdom down.”
Thy promise is my hope, thy word is all my staie:”
My comfort is the liuing Lord, which shields me from decaie.”
While Christ is on my side by faith that makes me free,”
By death or life I little feare what man can doo to me.”
To thee my liuing God for mercie now I call,”
So in this place my promisd vowes shalbe performed all.”
O Lord receaue my soule, the force of death destroie,”
That presentlie before thy face I may appeare with ioy.”
O Christ thy pitie send, with mercie come to me;”
For from my youth & tender yeres my hope hath bin in thee.”
My heart is fixed Lord, my heart is surelie set;”
To saue my soule (my God) let not my sinnes be anie let.”
Now to thy blessed hands whether I die or liue:”
My sinfull soule, receiue it Lord, I gladlie here doo giue.”
“Loe this thy wicked deed I doo forgiue with all my hart:
“Desiring God that this my blood now set at large,
“Vvhen he doth come maie not at all be laid vnto thy charge.
“Come staie no longer now if God shall giue thee power
“To take my life, thē welcom thrice this sweet & happy hower;
His wife he kissing bade her sorow to repell,
Vvith her his babes he did imbrace, and bade them al farewel.
But Lord what rolling teares, what shrikes and piteous cries
Betweene the wife and louing babes were sent to airie Skies.
But this could not perswade the traitor to depart,
Vvho framde his readie dagg to strike pore Masson to the hart.
Then Masson kneeling downe, content his life to leaue;
The bullet meeklie to his breast from Pistoll did receaue.
Vvhere falling to the ground, his blessed life did yeeld
Vnto the Lord, with quiet heart as meeke as anie childe.
Vve see what worthie men the Papists haue destroid,
God grant vs grace that doo remaine their treasons to auoide.
Vvith her his babes he did imbrace, and bade them al farewel.
But Lord what rolling teares, what shrikes and piteous cries
Betweene the wife and louing babes were sent to airie Skies.
But this could not perswade the traitor to depart,
Vvho framde his readie dagg to strike pore Masson to the hart.
Then Masson kneeling downe, content his life to leaue;
The bullet meeklie to his breast from Pistoll did receaue.
Vvhere falling to the ground, his blessed life did yeeld
Vnto the Lord, with quiet heart as meeke as anie childe.
Vve see what worthie men the Papists haue destroid,
God grant vs grace that doo remaine their treasons to auoide.
Amen.
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